CHAPTER XXV. CONCLUSION

“Well,Agnes,youmustnottakesuchlongwalksagainbeforebreakfast,”saidmymother,observingthatIdrankanextracupofcoffeeandatenothing—pleadingtheheatoftheweather,andthefatigueofmylongwalkasanexcuse.Icertainlydidfeelfeverishandtiredtoo. “Youalwaysdothingsbyextremes:now,ifyouhadtakenashortwalkeverymorning,andwouldcontinuetodoso,itwoulddoyougood.” “Well,mamma,Iwill.” “Butthisisworsethanlyinginbedorbendingoveryourbooks:youhavequiteputyourselfintoafever.” “Iwon’tdoitagain,”saidI. IwasrackingmybrainswiththinkinghowtotellheraboutMr.Weston,forshemustknowhewascomingto-morrow.However,Iwaitedtillthebreakfastthingswereremoved,andIwasmorecalmandcoolandthen,havingsatdowntomydrawing,Ibegan—“Imetanoldfriendonthesandsto-day,mamma.” “Anoldfriend!Whocoulditbe?” “Twooldfriends,indeed.Onewasadog”andthenIremindedherofSnap,whosehistoryIhadrecountedbefore,andrelatedtheincidentofhissuddenappearanceandremarkablerecognition“andtheother,”continuedI,“wasMr.Weston,thecurateofHorton.” “Mr.Weston!Ineverheardofhimbefore.” “Yes,youhave:I’vementionedhimseveraltimes,Ibelieve:butyoudon’tremember.” “I’veheardyouspeakofMr.Hatfield.” “Mr.Hatfieldwastherector,andMr.Westonthecurate:IusedtomentionhimsometimesincontradistinctiontoMr.Hatfield,asbeingamoreefficientclergyman.However,hewasonthesandsthismorningwiththedog—hehadboughtit,Isuppose,fromtherat-catcherandheknewmeaswellasitdid—probablythroughitsmeans:andIhadalittleconversationwithhim,inthecourseofwhich,asheaskedaboutourschool,Iwasledtosaysomethingaboutyou,andyourgoodmanagementandhesaidheshouldliketoknowyou,andaskedifIwouldintroducehimtoyou,ifheshouldtakethelibertyofcallingto-morrowsoIsaidIwould.WasIright?” “Ofcourse.Whatkindofamanishe?” “Averyrespectableman,Ithink:butyouwillseehimto-morrow.HeisthenewvicarofF——,andashehasonlybe